Committee Democrats Probe New “Fisherman in Residence” Role at NOAA

March 02, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Today, Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) demanded transparency from the Commerce Department on the appointment of Dustin Delano as “Fisherman in Residence” at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including his suspected conflicts of interest.

Transparency regarding this position is critical to the continued success of marine fisheries nationwide. The United States is the gold standard for healthy, sustainable fisheries that support 2.1 million jobs, contribute $319 billion to the U.S. economy, and provide American families with a healthy, affordable protein source. Conservation-focused, science-based fisheries policy developed in close collaboration with the fishing industry and local stakeholders supports fishing communities across the country.

“For the sake of the 2.1 million jobs that rely on healthy, sustainably managed fisheries, we seek full transparency regarding the role of “Fisherman in Residence,” the lawmakers said.

“It is our understanding that Mr. Dustin Delano has been appointed as “Fisherman in Residence” at NOAA. As such, we assume he is a NOAA employee, has been drawing a federal paycheck, and is advising on fisheries policy within NOAA. However, it is clear from his Facebook posts and other public activities that he continues to serve as an industry association advocate on matters before NOAA, raising questions about his impartiality and ability to serve in the best interests of the American people and fishing communities across the country,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers noted his continued roles with organizations that are heavily impacted by NOAA regulations and policies, including as Chairman and Chief Strategist of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA). “Mr. Delano’s non-government roles and professional work involve representing fishermen in litigation and advocacy that directly implicate NOAA and the regulated industries and stakeholders before it.” They cited evidence that suggests “Mr. Delano may be working inside NOAA on the very matters he was and continues to advocate for on behalf of NEFSA,” particularly a Facebook post in which Delano said he couldn’t testify at an International Trade Commission hearing on deregulatory actions favored by the industries he is working for.

“If Mr. Delano’s job at NOAA is enough to bar him from testifying, it should also bar him from secretly shaping internal agency action that affects the same interests he represents outside government. Unfortunately, without documented recusals and enforced screening, the public has no way to know whether NOAA’s decisions are being made on the merits or because of insider influence to benefit industries and the officials potentially benefiting from their success,” they write.

The lawmakers are requesting documentation by March 16, 2026, including:

  • All financial disclosure reports and related records filed by Mr. Delano
  • All documents or communications referring or relating to Mr. Delano, and involving any Department of Commerce or NOAA ethics officials, including: any deadline extension requests, reviews, or decisions about his financial disclosures as well as any ethics training, onboarding, and conflict of interest compliance materials provided to him
  • All official calendars, schedules, meeting invitations, agenda entries, and other scheduling records maintained by or for Mr. Delano in his official capacity as a Department of Commerce or NOAA employee

Read the full letter here.

Background

Last year, the Department of Commerce cancelled the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC), limiting the ability of fishing communities to provide equal input in NOAA’s policy decisions. In lieu of MAFAC, NOAA appointed Dustin Delano – an industry insider – as the “Fisherman in Residence,” a singular position responsible for representing the diverse fishing communities and sectors across our country.

This is the latest in a string of investigations launched by Natural Resources Committee Democrats into whether federal employees in the Trump administration are complying with federal ethics laws governing conflicts of interest, impartiality, and outside activities, and whether ethics screening controls have been adequately implemented and enforced. The members have launched investigations into:

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